Contents
- Requirements
- Doomsday Clock
- Heaven
- NUKE ‘em
- EOL and Euthanasia
- Euthanasia V Neglect
- Associations
- Euthanasia
- Grace
- LAW1
- Food Animal Sacrifice
- Managed Passing
- One Medicine
- Peace in 3D
- POI & Change Theory
- Steps in MAiD
- Palliative Care
- Notes
- Oregon State
- Canada
- Thanatology
- GOD
- Revisit LAW1
- Probate
- Death Bill of Rights
- Books
- EOLCCA
- MAiD
- EOLOA
- Practical
- Go Back Pack
- Brittany Maynard
- Compassion & Choices
Populations – Death with Dignity
What time is the Doomsday Clock set for?
As of January 27, 2026, the Doomsday Clock is set at 85 seconds (1 minute and 25 seconds) to midnight. This represents the closest the clock has ever been to global catastrophe, moved forward from 89 seconds in 2025 due to mounting risks from nuclear weapons, climate change, and disruptive technologies.
The Doomsday Clock
The Doomsday Clock is currently set at 85 seconds to midnight, marking the closest it has ever been to global annihilation in its 79-year history. Maintained by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, "midnight" symbolizes the end of the world.
The symbolic clock is updated annually by the Bulletin's Science and Security Board. When the board advanced the time forward from 89 seconds to 85 seconds, they cited several escalating existential threats to humanity:
Nuclear Risk:
Increasing threats of nuclear escalation, accelerating weapon modernization, and the expiration of key strategic arms agreements between the United States and Russia.
Climate Change:
Record-breaking global temperatures and the failure of major economies to meet emission reduction targets.
Disruptive Technologies:
The rapid, unregulated advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential integration into military command and biological threats.
Biosecurity:
Ongoing vulnerabilities to synthetic biology and inadequate global public health coordination.
FYI - Originally created in 1947 by Manhattan Project scientists, the clock serves as a metaphor to warn the public and policymakers about man-made threats to human survival. You can read the full, detailed assessment and the board's actionable recommendations in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 2026 Statement.
Is there time in heaven?
Theological perspectives on time in heaven are varied, but it is widely believed that while time may still exist, its nature will be fundamentally different. Rather than experiencing time as a stressful, fleeting, or limiting constraint, inhabitants will likely experience a liberating, eternal sequence of moments. Biblical texts provide clues that support this idea from a few different angles:
Succession of Events:
Texts in the Book of Revelation depict events happening in a sequence. For example, martyrs in heaven are recorded asking "how long" until judgment, which shows they are aware of time passing and have expectations for the future
Timelessness:
Conversely, other passages suggest a timeless reality. Revelation describes the eternal city as having no need for the sun or moon, as God's glory provides the light.
Eternal "Present":
Because God exists outside of human temporal limits, theologians often describe heaven as an "eternal now," where believers will live eternally without the fear of aging, decay, or running out of time.
Aside - FYI - ‘When you kill it, it doesn’t die’: the jellyfish that has cracked the secret of immortality
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/kill-doesn-t-die-jellyfish-110047947.html
Petra Stock - Tue, August 4, 2026 at 4:00 AM PDT - 3 min read
The Turritopsis dohrnii can survive adverse conditions such as high temperature, physical cutting, starvation and chemicals in water. Immortality is generally considered the realm of the gods or science fiction, a fantasy that's actively pursued by tech entrepreneurs in macabre experiments that include injecting "young blood", cryopreservation, or resurrection in an AI afterlife.
How painful is it to die in a nuclear bomb blast?
Whether dying in a nuclear bomb blast is painful depends entirely on how far away you are from ground zero.
1. Ground Zero (Instant and Painless)
The Experience:
Absolute and immediate oblivion.
The Timeline:
Less than a millisecond.
The Science:
The nervous system registers pain at a rate of roughly 300 feet per second. At ground zero, the thermal pulse and ionizing radiation travel at or near the speed of light, while the shockwave moves at hundreds of miles per hour. The extreme heat (millions of degrees) and intense pressure destroy the body's molecular structure and brain before a single nerve impulse can even form or travel to the brain. Victims die completely unaware of what happened.
2. The Moderate Blast Radius (Highly Agonizing)
The Experience:
Severe physical trauma and intense burning.
The Timeline:
Seconds to days.
The Science:
Moving farther out from the epicenter, the thermal and blast energies weaken slightly but remain lethal. Victims here are not instantly vaporized. Instead, they experience severe third- and fourth-degree burns, which char skin and muscle tissue. While the initial thermal flash may incinerate skin nerve endings, the surrounding tissue, intense blast pressure, and blunt-force trauma from collapsing buildings or flying debris cause immense physical suffering. Many perish from asphyxiation as the resulting super-fires consume all ambient oxygen.
3. The Outer Radius and Fallout Zone (Prolonged and Excruciating)
The Experience:
Severe illness, physical decay, and eventual system failure.
The Timeline:
Weeks to months (or years from cancer).
The Science:
Those who survive the physical explosion but absorb a high dose of ionizing radiation (typically between 300 to 1,000 REM) succumb to Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS). Over the course of days or weeks, the radiation destroys bone marrow and the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. This causes severe, continuous nausea, uncontrollable vomiting, bloody diarrhea, internal bleeding, and systemic infections as the immune system collapses. For historic documentation on these real-world effects, resources like the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Summary outline the harrowing medical realities faced by survivors.
FYI AI - If you are researching this for a creative writing project, a historical study, or simply trying to understand the physics behind nuclear weapons, let me know and I can provide more specific data.
Would you rather be euthanized or die in a nuclear bomb blast?
Choosing between being euthanized and dying in a nuclear blast depends on personal views about a peaceful medical choice versus a sudden, catastrophic event. Both lead to death, but they differ completely in how they happen, how long they take, and how much pain or fear they involve.
Assisted Dying
Clinical Context:
Occurs within a medical framework, often involving healthcare professionals and legal protocols.
Procedural Nature:
Follows a scheduled timeline and is conducted in a medical or private setting.
Intention:
Focuses on providing a medical conclusion for individuals facing terminal or incurable conditions, depending on local laws.
Nuclear Event
Scale of Impact:
Characterized by sudden, widespread destruction affecting entire populations and environments.
Physical Effects:
Involves extreme thermal energy, pressure waves, and immediate structural collapse near the epicenter.
Environmental Consequences:
Results in long-term ecological damage and radiation hazards that affect survivors and the surrounding area.
FYI - Would you like to explore the legal frameworks surrounding end-of-life care or the historical impact of nuclear technology?
FYI – Links
Posted to EOL and Euthanasia
20141224-W: Series of Related Links: Keyword = Dignity
http://www.deathwithdignity.org/
Nov 2, 2014 - Brittany Maynard [END OF POST]
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/07/opinion/maynard-assisted-suicide-cancer-dignity/
Editor’s Note: Brittany Maynard worked as a volunteer advocate for the nation’s leading end-of-life choice organization, Compassion and Choices. She lived in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, Dan Diaz, and mother, Debbie Ziegler. Watch Brittany and her family tell her story at www.thebrittanyfund.org. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
Promotions
https://compassionandchoices.org/
Euthanasia versus Neglect
Euthanasia is the intentional, painless ending of a life to relieve severe pain, while neglect is the failure to provide basic care, food, and medical treatment. They differ completely in intent, action, and ethics regarding human and animal welfare.
Key Differences
Definition and Purpose
Euthanasia: A compassionate, controlled medical act to stop hopeless suffering.
Neglect: A harmful form of abuse where a dependent individual is ignored, starved, or left without necessary medical help.
Intent and Action
Euthanasia: Guided by professional oversight, consent, or strict medical guidelines to ensure a peaceful death.
Neglect: Driven by apathy, lack of resources, or abandonment, causing slow, painful deterioration.
Legal and Ethical Status
Euthanasia: Regulated, legal in specific medical or veterinary circumstances, and intended as a final relief from pain.
Neglect: Strictly illegal, punishable by law, and viewed as a severe breach of duty.
FYI – AI - Would you like to explore this topic through the lens of veterinary pet care or human medical ethics/law?
Associations
- Advanced Planning
- Advance Health Care Directives
- Bedridden
- Blunt Force Trauma
- Chemical Execution
- Choice
- Cocktails of Choice
- Death with Dignity
- Dignity
- EOL
- EOL Choices California
- EOL Scenarios
- Falling
- Pain
- Palliative Care
- Peace and Serenity Systems (PASS)
- POLST
- Poly-pharmacy
- Risk of Falling
- Suffering
Euthanasia
Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve intractable pain and suffering, typically in cases of severe or terminal illness. It is defined by who performs the final act and the level of patient consent involved.
Types of Euthanasia
Euthanasia is categorized by the method used and the patient's capacity to give consent:
Active Euthanasia:
A medical professional deliberately administers a lethal substance to cause death.
Passive Euthanasia:
Life-sustaining treatments or interventions (such as artificial ventilation or feeding tubes) are withheld or withdrawn to allow death to occur naturally.
Voluntary Euthanasia:
Performed at the request and with the informed consent of a mentally competent patient.
Non-voluntary Euthanasia:
Performed on a patient who is unable to give consent (e.g., comatose or severely incapacitated), usually by relying on advance directives or surrogate decision-makers.
Involuntary Euthanasia:
Performed against the explicit wishes of a competent person. This is universally classified as murder.
Euthanasia vs. Medical Aid in Dying (MAID)
Euthanasia is often confused with physician-assisted suicide, or Medical Aid in Dying (MAID). The primary difference is who administers the lethal medication:
In euthanasia, a doctor directly administers the lethal dose.
In assisted suicide (MAID), a doctor prescribes the lethal medication, but the patient self-administers it.
Legal Status
Legal frameworks vary widely across the globe and are highly debated:
United States:
Active euthanasia is illegal in all U.S. states. Passive euthanasia is widely accepted. Several U.S. states permit Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) under strict conditions.
International:
Countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada have comprehensive legal frameworks that permit both voluntary active euthanasia and assisted suicide under specific medical circumstances. In the UK, both practices are illegal and considered manslaughter or murder.
FYI – AI - For comprehensive information on the legalities of medical aid in dying in the United States, resources are available through the Compassion & Choices advocacy group. To understand international standards and declarations, review the World Medical Association Declaration on the topic.
Grace with Managed Passing
The phrase "grace in dying" relates to the spiritual transformation and letting go experienced at the end of life, famously explored in the landmark book The Grace in Dying by psychotherapist Kathleen Dowling Singh. A managed or peaceful passing involves specific stages of emotional and physical surrender.
Stages of Spiritual Transformation
Shedding identity:
Letting go of ego, roles, and worldly attachments.
Turning inward:
Focusing deep within as physical energy fades.
Silence and peace:
Moving into a quiet state beyond anxiety or fear.
Transcendence:
A final surrender and merging with a larger sense of being.
Practical Aspects of a Managed Passing
Pain control:
Using medical care to keep the body comfortable and free of physical distress.
Open talking:
Sharing end-of-life wishes clearly with family and doctors.
Emotional closure:
Healing broken relationships and saying goodbye with love.
JMB’s Testimony
As early as 1998, when my mother died (Age 75), my mother’s sister indicated that she wanted to die fairly soon. She would have been 73 years old. She renewed her wishes in 2012 when she was 87 years old. During her older adult phase she suffered both a broken hip and a fall. Both hospitalized her. The fall smashed up a side of her face. When she was faced with skilled nursing she decided to go home. She died at the age of 95 in her own home and with family with her. How much suffering on and off she faced will never be known. In the later years there was a good deal of family conflict. From 2012 till the time she died we made Peace for the most part with my aunt (JMB).
Notion: LAW1 = Education before Consequences. Practice preventive law by getting the kids on track by aged 15. Search “fate of children caught up in the legal system.”
Aside - Judge Fusion = Overseer of Animal Cases and Sacrifice
Animal sacrifice for humans has historically served as a ritual tool to communicate with the divine, seek forgiveness, and maintain social bonds. Across ancient and modern civilizations, humans have offered animal lives to deities to substitute for their own perceived wrongdoing, secure prosperity, or provide communal nourishment.
Food animal sacrifice
Modern non-ceremonial food animal sacrifice refers to standard industrial and commercial meat production. While it lacks religious rites, the regular slaughter of livestock functions practically to provide food.
Modern Processing Methods
Stunning: Most commercial facilities render animals unconscious before slaughter using captive bolt pistols, electrical currents, or gas to reduce immediate physical pain.
Exsanguination: The animal's main blood vessels are cut quickly to drain blood, which aligns with basic food safety and hygiene rules.
Mass Production: Animals like cows, pigs, and chickens are raised in concentrated systems specifically for human consumption rather than sacred offerings.
Comparison to Ritual Slaughter
Kosher (Shechita) and Halal (Dhabihah): These methods use a swift cut to the throat with a very sharp knife and involve religious blessings or dedicated inspectors (shochet), separating them from purely non-ceremonial processing.
Secular Commercial Lines: Industrial slaughterhouses prioritize speed, efficiency, and automated sanitation over spiritual or ritual meaning.
FYI – AI - Would you like to explore the ethics of industrial farming, or do you want details on how commercial slaughter regulations work?
Aside - War Horses
War horses are highly trained equines used in military operations throughout history. They served various crucial roles, from frontline combat in heavy cavalry charges to reconnaissance, communications, and logistical support. Famous historical types include the powerful medieval destrier and the enduring American Mustang.
Sacrifices of war horses
The "sacrifice of war horses" refers to both the ritual offering of horses in ancient spiritual practices and the staggering, unintentional loss of equine lives in modern warfare.
Managed Passing - Burn Patients
FYI - National Institutes of Health (NIH) | (.gov)
End-Of-Life (EOL) Comfort Care and Withdrawal of Life Support (WLS) Of Severely Burned Patients: A Review of The Literature
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7452602/
By B Atiyeh · 2020 · Cited by 11
Ensuring burn patients get appropriate care without pursuing futile treatment has always constituted a challenging balance for burn surgeons. Patients with no prospect of cure who eventually die should potentially experience more comfortable and peaceful end-of-life (EoL) care. Recognizing that death for some patients is inevitable and can only be postponed but not avoided would open the way to a more humane comfort care for such patients. Though comfort EoL services are still not universal in burns intensive care units (ICU) and disparities still exist in access, and use of palliative care appears underutilized, its integration in the burns ICU has increased over the past decade with undeniable benefits. Palliative care consultations should be considered in select burn patients for whom survival is highly unlikely.
One-Medicine (Choices for a pet) - Euthanasia
Veterinary euthanasia is a clinical and compassionate procedure designed to provide a painless and peaceful end for a pet suffering from terminal illness or a severely diminished quality of life. The process is typically conducted in two distinct stages to ensure the animal remains comfortable and stress-free throughout.
The Euthanasia Procedure
Step 1 (Sedation):
A veterinarian will first administer a sedative or pre-anesthetic medication. This allows the dog to enter a state of deep relaxation and unconsciousness, typically taking 5 to 15 minutes to take full effect. During this time, the dog is unable to feel pain or anxiety.
Step 2 (Final Medication):
Once the dog is fully sedated and unconscious, the veterinarian administers a final concentrated anesthetic solution, usually through an intravenous catheter. This medication causes the heart and respiratory functions to stop calmly and quickly.
Normal Physical Reflexes:
It is common for the body to exhibit involuntary reflexes immediately after passing, such as deep breaths, muscle twitches, or the release of the bladder or bowels. These are natural physiological responses and do not indicate that the animal is experiencing any sensation or distress.
Key Decisions to Make
Location: Owners can choose between a procedure at a veterinary clinic or utilizing specialized at-home services to allow the pet to remain in a familiar environment.
Presence:
Choosing whether to be in the room during the procedure is a deeply personal decision. Some find closure in being present, while others prefer to say their goodbyes beforehand.
Aftercare:
Options include private cremation (where remains are returned), communal cremation, or home burial in accordance with local ordinances.
Assessing Quality of Life
If you are uncertain if it is the right time, medical professionals suggest using objective tools to evaluate your dog's daily well-being. Quality of life scales can help track whether your dog is still finding enjoyment in favorite activities, eating and drinking, and maintaining mobility.
Peace in Death, Disease and Disaster (P3D)
Finding peace amid death, disease, and disaster requires a blend of emotional, practical, and sometimes spiritual coping strategies. For immediate disaster and crisis support, you can reach out to the Disaster Distress Helpline (call 1-800-985-5990 or text "TalkWithUs" to 66746). For health-related crises, trusted resources include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Doctors Without Borders. When confronting life's profound adversities, finding a sense of "peace" often depends on addressing both the practical impacts and the emotional aftermath. Professionals recommend several avenues for navigating these situations:
Seek Psychosocial Support:
Tragedies can lead to anxiety, depression, and prolonged or complicated grief. Connecting with mental health professionals or contacting helplines can help you process trauma and build coping skills.
Focus on Dignity and Compassion:
In situations involving serious illness, disaster, or end-of-life care, palliative strategies that focus on physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort can bring a sense of grace to a difficult process.
Lean on Community and Faith:
Many people find resilience by relying on community connections, support groups, or spiritual teachings. Shared mourning and open communication about loss can help normalize feelings of grief and diminish isolation.
Maintain Control Where Possible:
Focusing on everyday routines, self-care (like sleep and proper nutrition), and making informed decisions helps manage emotional distress.
Work Done - Spirit
https://the-torkel-saga-2059.blogspot.com/2017/06/peter-gabriel-in-by-keith-torkelson.html
MPWG = Managed Passing with Grace
PASS = Peace and Serenity Systems
Aside - Person of Interest - Nola Burn’s Perspective (PROFILE Binder)
Nola McNally - RN III at VA Long Beach Healthcare System
Orange County, California, United States · RN III · VA Long Beach Healthcare System
RN III at VA Long Beach Healthcare System · My greatest strength is my understanding and application of change theory in mental health. AI Overview
It looks like you are searching for Nola McNally, a registered nurse based in the Los Angeles area who works with the VA. Nola McNally is an RN III primarily affiliated with the VA Long Beach Healthcare System, specializing in mental health and change theory.
LinkedIn·Nola McNally
Change Theory in Mental Health
Change theory in mental health refers to frameworks that explain how individuals shift behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. The most widely used framework is the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) (or Stages of Change), which maps how people move from recognizing a problem to successfully sustaining long-term recovery.
The Transtheoretical Model outlines six distinct phases people navigate when attempting to modify unhealthy habits or mental health patterns:
Precontemplation:
Individuals do not recognize they have a problem or have no intention of changing in the foreseeable future.
Contemplation:
People become aware of the problem and begin weighing the pros and cons of changing, often resulting in ambivalence.
Preparation:
Individuals are ready to take action and begin making small steps or creating a concrete plan.
Action:
The individual actively modifies their behavior, environment, or coping mechanisms.
Maintenance:
People successfully sustain the desired behavioral or mental changes for more than six months while working to prevent relapse.
Relapse / Termination:
Individuals may face setbacks and return to earlier stages. The termination phase represents complete cessation of the old behavior with 100% confidence in resisting relapse. Understanding this model is particularly powerful for therapy and recovery. By matching therapeutic interventions (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Motivational Interviewing) to a person's current stage, mental health professionals can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
What role does Death with Dignity play?
"Death with Dignity" - also known as Medical Aid in Dying (MAID)—allows mentally competent, terminally ill adults to legally request and self-administer life-ending medications prescribed by a physician. Its primary role is to provide autonomy, comfort, and control over the dying process for those facing a terminal prognosis of six months or less.
Steps in Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD)
Medical aid in dying (MAID) is a legal, voluntary process in authorized jurisdictions (like California) that allows terminally ill, competent adults to request a life-ending prescription from their doctor. The core steps generally involve a multi-step sequence of requests, eligibility assessments, and a mandatory waiting period. The exact process varies slightly depending on local legislation, but typically follows these major steps:
1. Initial Oral Requests and Consultation
First Request:
The patient clearly communicates their interest in MAID to their primary attending physician.
Evaluation:
The attending physician evaluates the patient to ensure they meet core eligibility criteria (e.g., age 18+, state residency, and a terminal prognosis of 6 months or less).
2. Confirmation by a Consulting Physician
Second Opinion:
The patient is referred to a consulting physician who reviews their medical records and examines the patient.
Diagnosis Verification:
This step independently confirms the patient's terminal diagnosis, prognosis, and mental capacity.
3. Written Request and Witnessing
Written Documentation:
The patient must submit a formal, signed, and dated written request.
Witness Signatures: This document typically must be signed by at least two qualified witnesses, one of whom must not be a relative or a beneficiary of the patient’s estate.
4. Mandatory Waiting Periods
Time Requirement:
The law generally requires a mandatory waiting period (e.g., at least 48 hours in California or 15 days in Vermont) between the first oral request and the final provision of the prescription to ensure the decision is deliberate and un-coerced.
5. Final Provision and Administration
Prescription:
Once all requirements are met and documented, the attending physician writes the prescription.
Self-Administration: In U.S. states where MAID is legal, the patient must physically ingest or administer the medication themselves.
Rescinding the Choice:
The patient is given the opportunity to rescind their request at any time or decide never to take the medication.
Resources for legal requirements, regional paperwork, and patient advocacy can be found through organizations like Compassion & Choices or End of Life Choices California.
FYI - AI - Would you like information on the specific eligibility rules and waiting periods required in California or another specific region?
Palliative Care – Sedation with Propofol
Propofol is a potent, short-acting intravenous anesthetic occasionally used in palliative care for patients with symptoms refractory to standard agents like benzodiazepines. It is typically reserved for severe, terminal distress—such as agitated delirium or intractable vomiting—and administered by specialist physicians under strict clinical supervision. Because propofol lacks analgesic properties, it is usually combined with continuous pain management protocols. The use of propofol in palliative medicine involves several specific considerations:
Pharmacokinetics:
Propofol has a rapid onset (about 30 seconds) and a very short half-life, allowing clinicians to precisely titrate the infusion rate to the lowest effective dose.
Indications:
It is primarily utilized for extreme, treatment-resistant symptoms—such as psychoexistential suffering, severe terminal agitation, or intractable nausea—after midazolam or other standard sedatives have failed.
Administration Protocols:
Due to the risk of respiratory arrest and other adverse events, administration and dosing require close, continuous monitoring. Guidelines, such as those provided by BC-CPC, mandate that propofol be managed exclusively by highly trained specialist teams, often in a hospital or hospice inpatient unit.
Ethical Framework:
The European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) provides ethical and procedural guidelines ensuring that the lowest possible dose is utilized strictly for the relief of intractable suffering. For detailed protocols regarding drug classes, titration schedules, and end-of-life care guidelines, you can review the AAHPM off-label uses resource or read the full clinical review in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.
Aside – Notes - Promotion - Death with Dignity
Death with Dignity National Center is a 501 nonpartisan nonprofit organization, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, that has led the legal defense of and education about Death with Dignity laws throughout the United States for more than 25 years.
Oregon State – Dying with Dignity (MAiD)
Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act (often referred to as Medical Aid in Dying, or MAiD) allows terminally ill adults to legally request life-ending medication. The law requires patients to be capable of self-administering the medication, have a terminal prognosis of six months or less, and undergo evaluations by two physicians.
Specific requirements and procedures for the law include:
The Request Process:
Patients must make two verbal requests (separated by at least 15 days) and one written request, which is signed by two witnesses.
No Residency Requirement:
Oregon's residency requirement was previously eliminated, meaning out-of-state patients can travel to Oregon to use the law, provided they still meet all medical and eligibility criteria.
Administration:
The patient must be physically and mentally capable of ingesting or administering the lethal dose themselves (usually through a feeding tube or by swallowing). The physician is not legally permitted to administer the medication directly.
State Oversight:
Patients do not apply to the state; rather, qualified patients and licensed physicians manage the process locally, and the Oregon Health Authority collects annual data.
For comprehensive step-by-step guides, lists of participating healthcare systems, and forms, you can refer to End of Life Choices Oregon or the national Death with Dignity organization.
FYI - AI - Could you clarify if this information is for personal planning, or are you looking to connect with a specific local hospice or physician in Buena Park?
Canada – Dying with Dignity - Mentally Ill
https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/advocacy/maid-for-mental-illness/
MAID and mental illness
Everything you need to know about medical assistance in dying for those with a mental illness as the sole underlying condition.
The Basics
Medical assistance in dying (MAID) for those whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness (MI-SUMC) includes conditions that are primarily within the domain of psychiatry, such as depression and personality disorders. It does not include neuro-cognitive disorders, or other conditions that may affect cognitive abilities, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, or Parkinson’s.
9-8-8 Support
If your sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness, you are not eligible to apply for MAID until March 17, 2027. No one under the age of 18 is eligible to apply for or access MAID, regardless of their diagnosis. If you are struggling and need to speak with someone, you can connect with a crisis responder 24/7 for judgment-free support by calling 9-8-8. You are not alone.
The Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying
On June 17, 2026, the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying issued its report, Medical Assistance in Dying and Mental Disorder as the Sole Underlying Medical Condition: A Complex and Challenging Conversation among Canadians. In it, they recommend an indefinite exclusion from MAID eligibility for persons whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness.
Mental Illness - Canada
The Government of Canada will now consider the report and its recommendation before it responds. Their response will likely come in the fall of 2026 or early 2027. Currently the law has not changed and the date of March 17, 2027, still stands as the date at which persons with mental illness as the sole underlying medical condition will be eligible for MAID.
Thanatology - Desired Outcomes
Thanatology—the scientific study of death, dying, and bereavement—aims to demystify mortality and promote holistic well-being. Desired outcomes in the field focus on providing compassionate end-of-life care, healthy grief processing, and a deeper appreciation for life through an understanding of its fragility. The goals of Thanatology are divided into four primary areas:
1. Compassionate End-of-Life Care
Symptom Management:
Improving palliative care by holistically addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual pain.
Patient Autonomy:
Assisting patients, families, and healthcare professionals in making informed, respectful decisions regarding terminal illness and care.
Reassuring the Dying:
Helping terminally ill individuals find peace, dignity, and closure in their final transitions.
2. Healthy Bereavement Support
Normalizing Grief:
Helping the bereaved understand that grief is a natural, multifaceted process spanning psychological, biological, and social dimensions.
Coping Tools:
Equipping individuals with effective strategies to navigate mourning rituals, commemorations, and the rewiring of personal identity after a significant loss.
Identifying Complicated Grief:
Recognizing when an individual's grief response requires clinical intervention or therapy.
3. Death Education & Advocacy
Reducing Death Anxiety:
Fostering cultural humility and demystifying the dying process to alleviate deep-seated fears of mortality.
Cultural Literacy:
Understanding how different societies, belief systems, and traditions approach death, grief, and mourning.
Systemic Improvements:
Advocating for better institutional and societal policies regarding hospice care and bereavement leaves.
4. Personal Growth & Perspective
Living Purposefully:
Cultivating "mortality awareness" not to instill fear, but to clarify life priorities, deepen meaning, and heighten present-moment well-being.
Professional Empathy:
Enhancing the bedside manner and resilience of healthcare workers, funeral directors, and spiritual leaders through targeted Thanatology Certification.
FYI - AI - Are you exploring Thanatology for personal development, or are you considering applying these principles to a specific professional field (such as nursing, social work, or grief counseling)? Let me know so I can provide more tailored resources or information.
Making “a deal with GOD”
"Bargaining" or making deals with God—like promising to change a behavior in exchange for a specific outcome—is a very common human response in times of crisis. However, theologians and faith leaders across various traditions generally agree that it is an ineffective and ultimately impossible way to approach God.
Why deals don't work:
Misunderstanding Grace:
God's nature is based on grace, mercy, and love, not a transactional, quid-pro-quo system.
The Desire for Control:
Bargaining often stems from a lack of trust, acting as an attempt to control situations rather than surrendering to a higher plan.
A Relationship of Obedience:
Living a faithful life and avoiding sin is for your own well-being and spiritual growth, not a currency used to buy favors or blessings.
Moving from negotiation to surrender:
Rather than trying to negotiate or strike bargains to secure a specific result, faith leaders and community discussions often suggest shifting your approach:
Radical Acceptance:
Pray to align your will with God's and accept whatever the outcome may be.
Dedication vs. a Deal:
Instead of saying, "If you do this, I will do that," it is often recommended to simply dedicate your concerns to God and trust Him with the results.
Letting Go of Control:
Submitting to God's will allows you to let go of the exhaustion of trying to hold Him to your end of a bargain.
FYI - AI - If you are currently navigating a stressful situation, making a deal is a very natural instinct, as explored by theologians. However, many believe that approaching God with humility, surrender, and prayer is the path to finding true peace, regardless of what the future holds.
What is LAW1?
In the context of the legal and educational sectors, "preventive education" focuses on equipping students and the public with the knowledge to understand rights, recognize risks, and avoid harm. It actively embeds legal literacy and safety training into curriculums to mitigate issues before they result in crises or litigation. Preventive education intersects with the law across several critical frameworks:
Erin's Law:
Mandates that public schools provide annual personal body safety education. It teaches children about safe and unsafe touches, boundary setting, and how to report abuse.
The Clery Act & The Stop Campus Hazing Act:
Requires higher education institutions to provide introductory and ongoing awareness and prevention programs on sexual assault, dating violence, and hazing. These programs heavily feature risk reduction and bystander intervention strategies.
California Healthy Youth Act:
Requires school districts to provide comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention education to ensure students have the knowledge to protect their reproductive health and develop safe, positive relationships.
Law-Related Education (LRE):
A distinct educational approach implemented in various states that teaches students about legal rights, civic responsibilities, and problem-solving skills to foster responsible citizenship and deter violent behavior.
FYI - AI - If you are looking for more specific guidance, please tell me:
Are you interested in K-12 school safety mandates or higher education legal requirements?
Is your interest focused on a specific state (like California) or a federal issue?
I can provide the exact legislative codes or relevant resources.
Profiles Probate Attorneys
For probate or estate representation near Buena Park, top-rated local options include Modern Wealth Law in Irvine and The Probate Guy (Robert L. Cohen) serving the greater Southern California area. These firms handle estate administration, court processes, and trust litigation. Reviewing professional attorney profiles can help you find a lawyer whose background, pricing structure, and location suit your exact needs. Key profile elements to compare include:
Practice Focus: Differentiate between estate planning (drawing up wills and trusts for living clients) and probate (settling an estate after a death).
Credentials: Look for California State Bar Certified Specialists in Estate Planning, Trust, & Probate Law.
Fee Structure: In California, probate lawyer fees are statutorily regulated based on the gross value of the estate. Many attorneys, like The Probate Guy, offer free consultations and may advance probate expenses. You can evaluate and compare the credentials of additional local professionals using trusted directories:
MSG/TKC Advanced Planning
No Harm Policy
A "no harm policy" typically refers to an institutional framework designed to ensure that a new rule, test, or regulation will not disadvantage individuals who follow it. Depending on your context, this generally applies to one of three areas:
College Admissions (Testing):
Many universities (such as the University of Chicago) have implemented "no harm" testing policies. If you submit your SAT or ACT scores, the admissions team will only consider them if they improve your application; if the scores are lower, they are disregarded and do not penalize you.
Higher Education Accountability:
Passed into law as part of recent Higher Education Act revisions, the "Do No Harm" test is an earnings metric for degree programs. It requires programs to prove their graduates make more than a high school diploma holder, or risk losing access to federal student loans.
Corporate & Legal Policies:
In workplace or legal settings, "no harm" clauses ensure that a newly implemented policy, restructuring, or compensation model does not result in reduced wages or worsened conditions for current employees.
Grace
Grace is most commonly defined as unmerited divine favor, elegance of movement, or a polite and courteous demeanor. Depending on the context, it can refer to a religious concept, physical poise, or a short prayer said before meals. Because the term spans several distinct disciplines, its definition varies:
1. Religion & Theology
In theology, it represents the free, unearned favor and love of God towards humanity. It is widely considered the unmerited help that God gives to heal, sanctify, and save individuals, such as the Christian belief in salvation through faith rather than good works. The concept is prominent across major world religions, though it differs in focus—for example, in Christianity, it encompasses forgiveness, empowerment to live righteously, and unconditional love.
Death Bill of Rights (10 Principles – Strengths Based)
A "Death Bill of Rights" typically refers to the Dying Person's Bill of Rights, an established ethical framework in end-of-life and palliative care. When approached through a strengths-based lens, these principles focus on preserving dignity, recognizing autonomy, and empowering individuals and their families throughout the dying process.
Commonly summarized into 10 key principles, these rights include:
The Right to be Treated as a Living Human: Care focuses on life until the moment of death, promoting quality of life, connection, and engagement.
The Right to Maintain Hopefulness: Individuals and their families have the right to foster hope. In a strengths-based model, the focus of hope transitions naturally from "seeking a cure" to "maximizing comfort and meaning".
The Right to Express Feelings: Approaching death brings a complex mix of emotions. Individuals have the right to process and express their grief, fear, or acceptance in their own unique way, without judgment.
The Right to Participate in Decisions: Care plans honor personal agency. Patients have the right to actively shape their medical, emotional, and practical care, including the right to accept or refuse treatments.
The Right to Continuing, Holistic Care: Patients can expect ongoing, compassionate medical and nursing attention, prioritizing dignity and comfort even when curative treatments are no longer an option.
The Right Not to Die Alone: Whenever possible, individuals have the right to be surrounded by their chosen support system, loved ones, or caring professionals during their final moments.
The Right to be Free from Pain: Comprehensive pain and symptom management are prioritized. The goal is to maximize physical comfort and alleviate distress.
The Right to Honesty and Truth: Patients have the right to receive honest answers to their questions and accurate information about their condition. No one has the right to deceive them under the guise of "sparing them grief".
The Right to Retain Individuality: Each person’s unique identity, social preferences, and personal values are honored. They will not be judged for decisions that run contrary to the beliefs of others.
The Right to Spiritual and Religious Expression: Individuals have the space to explore, discuss, and enlarge their religious, existential, or spiritual experiences and needs, whatever they may be.
To explore how these principles are applied in professional social work and hospice settings, you can refer to the NASW Practice Standards for Serious Illness Care.
FYI - AI - Would you like to explore how to draft an advance directive incorporating these principles, or are you looking to understand caregiver resources for serious illness support?
Books
Book of Avoidance – Avoiding things associated with death
Avoiding things associated with death is a common symptom of death anxiety or complicated grief. It can manifest as steering clear of hospitals, funerals, or triggering media. To move past this, clinical psychologists and thanatologists recommend deliberate, gradual exposure to death reminders to process the fear and reclaim your present life.
Directives - Book of Advanced Planning
The "EOL (End of Life) Plan" is a detailed guidebook and workbook designed to bridge the gap between legal documents (like Wills and Trusts) and everyday practical details. It prompts individuals to organize critical information ranging from estate papers and financial accounts to digital passwords and specific end-of-life wishes. Using an end-of-life planner ensures your loved ones do not have to guess your wishes during an emergency. The primary components of advanced planning generally include:
- Advanced Health Care Directive
- DNR
- Doctors of Choice
- Facility Information
- Legacy and Property Disposition
- MAiD statement
- POLST
- Powers of Attorney
- Psychiatric Advance Directive
- Statement of Competence
- Statement of wishes
Book of Agreements
You are likely referring to "The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom," a popular self-help book by don Miguel Ruiz and Janet Mills. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the 160-page book provides a code of conduct to break self-limiting beliefs and achieve personal freedom. The book's philosophy is centered on four core principles:
Be impeccable with your word:
Speak with integrity, and say only what you mean while avoiding using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others.
Don't take anything personally:
Nothing others do or say is because of you. What they say and do is a projection of their own reality.
Don't make assumptions:
Find the courage to ask questions and express what you really want. Communicate clearly with others to avoid sadness and drama.
Always do your best:
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best to avoid self-judgment and regret.
FYI – AI - You can explore or purchase the book through Amazon or read more about the teachings on the official The Four Agreements website.
Associated Publications
08_Legacy_1412203_Topics
Promotion - EOLCCA – End of Life Choices California
https://endoflifechoicesca.org/
We provide free, confidential support to individuals, families, and caregivers navigating end-of-life decisions. Our trained volunteers offer compassionate guidance, help you understand your legal options under California law, and support you through every step — emotionally and practically — with care, respect, and clarity. End of Life Choices California believes that all Californians diagnosed with a terminal illness should have factual information about, and access to, all legal options concerning their end-of-life wishes.
- Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD)
- Attending Physician
- Consulting Physician
- DNR
- Expansion of the Law
- Families Role
- Hospice
- Medical Advocate
- Palliative Care
- POLST
- Stopping Unwanted Medical Treatment
Palliative Sedation
https://endoflifechoicesca.org/end-of-life-options/palliative-sedation/
Palliative Sedation
Palliative sedation—sometimes called terminal sedation or continuous deep sedation—is a medical option used at the very end of life to relieve intense, unmanageable pain and suffering. It involves the careful use of medications to bring a person into a deep state of unconsciousness, where they typically remain until death occurs naturally.
When Is Palliative Sedation Used?
This type of care is only considered when a person is imminently dying and experiencing severe symptoms that cannot be controlled by other means. It is reserved for situations where comfort cannot be achieved through traditional pain management or palliative care methods.
Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED)
https://endoflifechoicesca.org/end-of-life-options/voluntarily-stopping-eating-and-drinking-vsed/
Voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED) is the conscious act of a person to intentionally stop eating and drinking with the goal of ending their life. The decision to use VSED relies solely on a competent person’s preference and determination to control his or her own dying. VSED is a natural process by which people have chosen to die in many cultures, as their loss of appetite is a natural process at the end of life. Hospice nurses in Oregon rated VSED a “good death,” giving it an 8 out of 9 as a peaceful way to go.
Promotion - We Should All Have the Right To Die With Dignity (2026)
http://www.deathwithdignity.org/
Death with Dignity National Center
Case of Oregon v. Ashcroft.
Oregon v. Ashcroft (later Gonzales v. Oregon) was a landmark 2006 Supreme Court case affirming that the U.S. Attorney General could not use the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to punish physicians for prescribing medication for assisted suicide, upholding Oregon's Death with Dignity Act. The court ruled the Attorney General exceeded his authority
Jurisdictions
Death with Dignity laws allow terminally ill, mentally competent adults with six months or less to live to request lethal medication from physicians to hasten death. Legal in several US jurisdictions (e.g., CA, CO, OR, WA), the process requires two oral requests (often 48 hours apart), one written request, and self-administration.
Brittany Maynard: My right to death with dignity at 29
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/07/opinion/maynard-assisted-suicide-cancer-dignity/
CNN - Nov 2, 2014
Brittany Maynard has glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, and will not live long. Here, she tells her story and how she will say goodbye.
FYI - Death with Dignity Act - Public Health Division - Oregon.gov
The Oregon Death with Dignity Act requires the Oregon Health Authority to collect information about the patients and physicians who participate in the Act, and publish an annual statistical report.
FYI - Oregon Death with Dignity Act
2025 Data Summary
Death with Dignity Act (DWDA)
The Oregon Death with Dignity Act (DWDA; Oregon Revised Statutes 127.800–127.995) allows terminally ill patients who meet specific qualifications to end their lives through voluntary self-administration of a lethal dose of medications prescribed by a physician for that purpose. The Act requires the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to collect information about the patients and physicians who participate in the Act and to publish an annual statistical report. In 2025, 637 people were reported to have received prescriptions under the DWDA.
Diagnosis
As of January 23, 2026, OHA had received reports of 400 people who died in 2025 from ingesting the prescribed medications, including 42 who had received prescriptions in previous years. Demographic characteristics of DWDA patients were similar to those of previous years: most patients were age 65 years or older (88%) and white (94%). The most common diagnosis was cancer (61%), followed by neurological disease (14%) and heart disease (11%). OHA made no referrals to the Oregon Medical Board for failure to comply with DWDA reporting requirements.
Requirements - Introduction
The Oregon Death with Dignity Act (DWDA) allows terminally ill patients who meet specific qualifications to end their lives through voluntary self-administration of a lethal dose of medications prescribed by a physician for that purpose. The Act requires the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to collect information about the patients and physicians who participate in the Act and to publish an annual statistical report. The DWDA outlines specific patient requirements to participate. A patient must be 1) 18 years of age or older, 2) capable of making and communicating health care decisions to health care practitioners, and 3) diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six months.
Criteria
The attending and consulting physicians must determine whether a patient meets these requirements and report that fact to OHA at the time a prescription is written. When OHA identifies any instance of noncompliance with the statutory requirements, it reports the instance to the appropriate licensing board. Data presented in this summary, including the number of people for whom DWDA prescriptions were written (DWDA prescription recipients) and the resulting deaths from the ingestion of the medications (DWDA deaths), are based on required reporting forms and death certificates received by OHA as of January 23, 2026. More information on the reporting process, required forms and annual reports is available at www.healthoregon.org/dwd.
FYI - Death with Dignity – 2024-25 Annual Report
https://issuu.com/deathwithdignity/docs/death_with_dignity_2025_annual_report?fr=xKAE9_zMzMw
End of Life Option Act
California's End of Life Option Act (EOLOA) presents complex ethics, allowing mentally competent, terminally ill adults (six-month prognosis) to self-administer lethal medication. Key ethical challenges involve balancing patient autonomy with safeguards, physician conscientious objections, equitable access, and the prohibition against assisting those physically unable to self-ingest, often excluding neurodegenerative patients.
Promotion - Death with Dignity National Center
http://www.deathwithdignity.org/
Death with Dignity National Center. Information on U.S. polling, state legislation, the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, and case of Oregon v. Ashcroft. Patients & Families - Death with Dignity Acts - Research Center
“We Should All Have the Right to Die With Dignity”
Suggestion – Go Folder
Since 1994, Death with Dignity has advocated for the fundamental freedom of choice in end-of-life options for all. Join the movement! Need help with end-of-life planning? The Life File is our step-by-step guide that makes end of life planning easier and stress-free.
Lived Experience – This is my older sister CMF – EOL efforts for either Mom (1998) or Dad (1999) – 2026 she says it is dad she is working about. It was quite the effort managing the costs of the Oxygen Making System especially the electrical bill.
EOL File per DWD (In your Go Bag or Back Pack)
https://deathwithdignity.org/life-file/
Enter your email address and we’ll send you a easy-to-use checklist on what you can do to create your Life File. Or scroll down to learn more about comprehensive end of life planning.
What is the life file?
End of Life planning is tough. There’s so much to do. It’s hard to know where to start, or how to tackle what can often feel like a monumental task. Death with Dignity put together this comprehensive, step-by-step guide to make the end of life planning process easier, and more stress-free. We’ve got information on every topic you may need — from will and estate planning, to safeguarding your assets, to securing your legacy, and everything in between.
How and What
How you use our guide is up to you. You can jump to topics you’re interested in, or go page by page to check every box. You can use the guide by yourself, or with a loved one. When you’re done, you’ll have created your very own Life File — a central place to keep “how and what” documents that ensure your wishes are honored at the end of your life and your loved ones have the information they need to take care of your affairs when you die.
Your Data & Documents
Your Health & Care
Your Possessions
Your Legacy
Securing Your Life File
What is someone’s legacy?
A person's legacy is the lasting impact they leave behind on the world and the people around them. It encompasses both tangible items, such as physical assets and inheritance, and intangible gifts, like the memories, values, and knowledge they shared during their lifetime.
List of Blogs
- AnimaCules
- Brand New Day
- CloZAPine
- HealthMan
- Housing Advisory
- Torkel Saga 2059
Brittany Maynard: My right to death with dignity at 29 - CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/07/opinion/maynard-assisted-suicide-cancer-dignity/
CNN: Nov 2, 2014
Brittany Maynard has glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, and will not live long. Here, she tells her story and how she will say goodbye. Maynard, a 29-year-old with terminal brain cancer, has died, advocacy group Compassion and Choices said in a Facebook post on Sunday. Click through to see more photos of Maynard's life. Courtesy Britanny Maynard.
Editor’s Note: Brittany Maynard worked as a volunteer advocate for the nation’s leading end-of-life choice organization, Compassion and Choices. She lived in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, Dan Diaz, and mother, Debbie Ziegler. Watch Brittany and her family tell her story at www.thebrittanyfund.org. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
Volunteer Advocacy
Volunteer advocacy means giving your time to support a cause, speak up for people in need, or help change laws. Volunteers can help in many fields like child welfare, crisis response, healthcare, and human rights.
Death with Dignity Act - Public Health Division - Oregon.gov
Oregon - About the Death with Dignity Act
On October 27, 1997, Oregon enacted the Death with Dignity Act which allows terminally ill individuals to end their lives through the voluntary self-administration of lethal medications, expressly prescribed by a physician for that purpose. The Oregon Death with Dignity Act requires the Oregon Health Authority to collect information about the patients and physicians who participate in the Act, and publish an annual statistical report.
Sample of 2025s Report - FYI
FYI - California Death with Dignity: Options at the End of Life
https://deathwithdignity.org/states/california/
Promotion - Death with Dignity (DWD)
https://deathwithdignity.org/states/california/
Protect end-of-life freedom in California!
California’s End of Life Option Act ensures that terminally ill patients have the right to a peaceful death on their own terms — but we must stay vigilant to protect this hard-won right.
DWD - Three Ways You Can Take Action
Share your story. If you are living with a terminal illness, lost someone you love, or believe deeply in personal autonomy and dignity at the end of life, your voice matters.
Learn how you can advocate for Death with Dignity in California.
Learn about the law and stay informed on legislative updates.
Promotion - Compassion and Choices
https://compassionandchoices.org/
Compassion & Choices is a nonprofit organization in the United States working to improve patient autonomy and individual choice at the end of life, including access to medical aid in dying. Its primary function is advocating for and ensuring access to aid in dying.
No comments:
Post a Comment